LET’S LOOK TO THE PAST SO WE CAN HEAL

DURING these times of great hardship, you could look around and try to savour the best from the past.

Although it’s usually advisable to focus on the journey ahead, the journey ahead is hugely influenced by circumstances beyond our control. Think lockdown. Violent-action distractions and whatever else is not working around us.

Rich or not, the challenges are testing. At times, it could feel like the world is coming to an end. But if you are an optimist, then this could be new beginnings.

Covid lockdowns, and the violent action and political mayhem that has accompanied them, can make anyone look to the past for the “great golden old days”just to feel good about life.

There are many great leaders from the past, dead or alive, local or foreign, who have touched people in their countries and across the globe.

Nelson Mandela was one of the great leaders who stood up for a better world and got the world to fight for liberation for all. Perhaps, as a reference for good over evil, the world will continue to look at his life, so that no matter the hardships, the hope for a brighter future can live permanently.

He became a symbol of hope, forgiveness, peace, reconciliation and freedom among many ideals he lived and died for.

But do we value Mandela’s ideals and live them in our everyday lives? The question can be answered by looking at whether we are making progress in addressing the social ills and injustices that Mandela committed 67 years of his life to fighting.

After his passing, on December 5, 2013, the message of the global icon who best taught the world of the greatness and wisdom of forgiveness, peace, reconciliation and Ubuntu (humanity) has, to a great extent, been lost.

In drawing inspiration from Mandela, we also have an opportunity to correct the wrongs that occurred when he was alive. In advancing the stalwart’s legacy, we need to step in where he was not or couldn’t be effective.

Mandela was a product of the ANC and his story should not be isolated from the country’s current governing party, as much as the freedom of South Africa must never be isolated from the people, organisations, industries, sectors and countries that contributed to the liberation of South Africa.

As we kick off Women’s Month in South Africa, I feel a strong urge to reflect, appreciate and show gratitude to the many women who fought for our freedom and justice, who led in various capacities during the times of great injustices and held the torch of hope when despair sought to be the goal of the oppressive regime.

Especially during the turbulence we are experiencing, it could also heal the country’s wounds as we remember where we come from and possibly learn where we got things wrong.

We as a country, from our schools, to libraries, media and elsewhere, must always remember the stories of our heroines, including those who led the 20 000-strong Women’s March to the Union Buildings against the pass laws in 1956; people like Lillian Ngoyi, Sophia Williams, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Frances Baard.

Other unsung stalwarts whose contribution towards a just society has been mostly forgotten even by the democratic government include Dulcie September, Ann Silinga, Charlotte Maxeke, Zola Magodla, Mildred Ramakaba-Lesiea, Zora Mehlomakulu, Nandi Ralawe, Nokuthula Simelane, Ruth First and Molly Blackburn, among others. Thank you for your service to and contribution towards human liberation.

There are many injustices, such as inequality that existl in South Africa even today, beyond forgetting the icons from the past. And reflecting on the turbulence, whether we are being punished by the Maker for living away from His Will, it will be wise for our nation to reconnect with the higher powers.

“If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.